Report a scam through official channels
Use official reporting resources when you receive suspicious messages, lose money, share sensitive information, experience account takeover, or spot impersonation.
Before you file a report
Collect details only when it is safe. Useful details can include screenshots, dates, times, usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, links, transaction IDs, wallet addresses, marketplace listings, invoice numbers, and the platform where the contact happened.
Do not click deeper into suspicious links just to gather more evidence. Do not send more money to prove something. Do not pay anyone promising guaranteed recovery.
Choose the right reporting path
Many situations should be reported to the platform or provider first. A payment app scam belongs with the payment app and your bank. A fake social media profile belongs with the platform. Online fraud or cyber-enabled theft may also belong with government reporting resources.
FTC ReportFraud.gov
Report fraud, scams, and bad business practices to the Federal Trade Commission.
Use this resource when the suspicious activity fits the agency or platform focus. Keep screenshots, transaction IDs, usernames, email headers, phone numbers, dates, links, and payment details when safe.
Open official resourceFBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Report cyber-enabled fraud, online scams, phishing, extortion, account takeover, and internet crime.
Use this resource when the suspicious activity fits the agency or platform focus. Keep screenshots, transaction IDs, usernames, email headers, phone numbers, dates, links, and payment details when safe.
Open official resourceUS Postal Inspection Service
Report mail-related scams, package scams, mail theft, and suspicious USPS-related messages.
Use this resource when the suspicious activity fits the agency or platform focus. Keep screenshots, transaction IDs, usernames, email headers, phone numbers, dates, links, and payment details when safe.
Open official resourceSEC Tips, Complaints, and Referrals
Report suspected securities, investment, and crypto-related fraud involving securities.
Use this resource when the suspicious activity fits the agency or platform focus. Keep screenshots, transaction IDs, usernames, email headers, phone numbers, dates, links, and payment details when safe.
Open official resourceIdentityTheft.gov
Get a recovery plan if personal information was stolen or misused.
Use this resource when the suspicious activity fits the agency or platform focus. Keep screenshots, transaction IDs, usernames, email headers, phone numbers, dates, links, and payment details when safe.
Open official resourceUSA.gov Scam Reporting Guide
Find official scam and fraud reporting resources by situation.
Use this resource when the suspicious activity fits the agency or platform focus. Keep screenshots, transaction IDs, usernames, email headers, phone numbers, dates, links, and payment details when safe.
Open official resourceAfter you report
Reporting does not always create an immediate personal response, but it helps agencies and platforms identify patterns. After filing a report, continue with practical protection steps: change affected passwords, enable two-factor authentication, contact your bank or payment provider, review account activity, and watch for follow-up recovery scams.
If the suspicious message came through a social platform, marketplace, payment app, email provider, or messaging app, report it there too. Platform reports help remove impersonation accounts, fake listings, phishing links, and abusive messages.